A woman with learning difficulties died after doctors at Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital failed to notice she had a broken back and eight broken ribs.

An inquest yesterday into the death of 55-year-old Frances Porritt was told that doctors thought she had suffered only a broken collarbone.

Miss Porritt was discharged from the hospital but became ill the next day and was re-admitted. She died later from internal bleeding caused by a ruptured spleen and multiple injuries.

In recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Michael Coker said the hospital's wrong diagnosis had contributed to her death.

Miss Porritt suffered the injuries when she slipped and fell down the stairs at her home in Long Street, Atherstone, on October 15 last year.

After treating her for the broken collarbone, doctors recommended that she remain in hospital overnight.

However, later in the evening nurses reported that Miss Porritt had eaten, was able to walk, and wanted to be discharged.

Arrangements were made for her to be taken to a care home. But she was taken back to the hospital the next day after becoming ill, and died later.

A post mortem and subsequent reviews of the X-rays revealed the broken back and broken ribs, one of which had pierced her spleen, causing the bleeding. Coroner Michael Coker said: "It is apparent that these had been missed and therefore the treatment that followed did not take that into account.

"I am going to record a verdict of accidental death, resulting from two accidents that happened to her, one being the fall and the second being the X-rays not being noticed at the time."

Miss Porritt's sister, Judith Osgood, said: "Frances didn't get the care she should have had. She shouldn't have died."